Pregnancy and you blog

Vulvar varicosities: I have varicose veins where?

Vulvar varicosities, or varicose veins in the vulva, aren't a common topic among women. Women just don't tend to talk a lot about their vulvas — the outer surface of the female genitalia. And many probably don't even know that they can develop varicose veins down there.

Vulvar varicosities tend to occur most often during pregnancy. The risk of varicose veins is greater during pregnancy because of the increase in blood volume and decrease in how quickly your blood flows from your lower body. This puts pressure on your veins. Vulvar varicosities can occur alone or along with varicose veins of the legs.

If you have vulvar varicosities — and you're lucky — the only way you'll know is because your health care provider tells you. Others are not as lucky. The symptoms of vulvar varicosities include a feeling of fullness or pressure in the vulva area, vulvar swelling and discomfort. In extreme cases, the dilated vessels can look like worms. Long periods of standing, exercise and sex can aggravate the condition.

How can you get relief? When you have varicose veins in your legs, you buy support pantyhose or compression socks to support the distended veins. Unfortunately, there are no socks for vulvas. Years ago when sanitary pads were more like saddles, health care providers would suggest that women wear two pads for support. Today, however, pads are much thinner. You'd have to wear six of them to get any relief.

Instead, consider these tips:

Get a support garment. Look for one specifically designed for vulvar varicosities. Some designs also provide support for the lower abdomen and lower back.

Change position. If you stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to sit.

Go for a swim. The water helps lift the baby and improve the blood flow from your pelvis.

Elevate your hips slightly when lying down. This can help promote circulation. Placing a folded towel beneath your hips might do the trick.

Apply cold compresses to your vulva. This might ease your discomfort.

The good news is that vulvar varicosities likely won't affect your mode of delivery. These veins tend to have a low blood flow. As a result, even if bleeding occurred it could easily be controlled. More good news is that vulvar varicosities typically go away on their own within about six weeks of delivery.

Have you experienced vulvar varicosities? What helped or didn't help you?

45 Comments Posted

My vulvar varicosities started when I got pregnant with my first child.I just wear fitted garments for support to ease the pain.It didn't gone until I deliver my second child.My second child is almost three years old. I undergone ligation during my delivery.Fitted garments only ease the pain but the swell down there is still present. Is there another procedure to be done to completely make this gone? Thank you!

Lovelyn

June 30, 2015 4:08 p.m.

I have been wearing a body suit which seems to lift and support my belly (24 weeks pregnant) and support my pelvic floor. The swelling has gone down considerably! The achy pain as gone too! An easy and cheap answer!
Good luck.
Jen

Jen

May 6, 2015 3:59 p.m.

I'm pregnant with my 3rd baby and unfortunately I've had these with all 3. With my first two, they didn't start until later in the pregnancies, but this time they started around 10 weeks. I love being pregnant, but I have to say that I can't wait for this to be over. It's so painful...to walk, stand, sleep...anything! The only relief I get is when I sit with my legs wide open like a dude or when I sleep Indian style lying down. They throb. They feel like a huge bruise. They send shooting pains in my whole crotch area. Plus, I have an inguinal hernia on top of it all so the pressure is worse! I was put out of work at 23 weeks and am going CRAZY. It's funny how many people don't talk about it, because it's a problem 'down there'. I, on the other hand, tell everyone who asks me how I'm feeling. "I feel awful! My crotch is so swollen with these damn things! But thanks for asking!" That way, when I walk by, looking like there's a stick up my ass or that I have to take a crap (as my husband says), people will understand. Lol. To anyone who has these, just know that relief is in the future!

Terry

March 20, 2015 1:37 p.m.

I've just discovered I have them today :( I've felt pressure in that area for a while but assumed it was the way the baby was lying but today the whole area swelled up and has been so painful :( I have several horrific ones in my leg and wear a compression stocking and I just feel very low and uncomfortable. This is my 2nd and I'm 23 weeks but I'm in no doubt this is my last after the discomfort and pain I'm in.

Lynne

March 19, 2015 11:38 p.m.

Cold packs and getting off my feet helped the most. Downside is that I like to exercise a few times a week and that makes the pressure worse. Sex is great until afterwards when the throbbing pain and swelling takes quite a while to subside.

babymomma2

February 27, 2015 12:33 a.m.

I have been buying venorid serum for my husband . he has varicose veins and suffers alot, itching and pain in his legs. Thisis the only product that makes him feel fine, so I will continue buying it, it is really good for people with varicose veins really good.Excellent

Lynn Zoia Sakata

February 19, 2015 9:01 a.m.

I bought special underwear that really helped!! Whenever I took baths I felt some relief.

Tal

February 16, 2015 5:36 p.m.

Just want to drop a comment, because I'm apparently one of those rare cases that get vulvar varicosities without being pregnant :-/ 2½ years ago I suddenly noticed a huge "lump" in my vulva. Went to the doctor, got the diagnozis "Bartholin's", was sent to surgery right away. When the operated, they found out the now 2 lumps were varicose veins in the vulva.
Yesterday I discovered another one - out of the blue, not nearly as big as last time, but I really hope that this one won't grow and it'll just go away on its own. I have no idea at all what to do about this when I know that I'm not pregnant.
Last time I was told it could happen to people who sit a lot (and I do that due to disability), but still... They show up out of nowhere - would they please just go away again just as fast!?!

Vulvar Varicosities Owner

February 14, 2015 6:18 p.m.

Hi, I am 23 weeks pregnant with my fifth baby. My veins are extremely bad on this pregnancy, I have purchased the v2 supporter but I find it very tight around the belly. Obviously it sits under but it's sore to wear there and I worry about it having an impact on the baby. Sitting down with it on is painful. It's not too small, I even got an extra piece of elastic put into it. I'm just wondering if anyone else had this problem and if they have any advice on how to overcome it. I am in severe pain and will try anything!!

Baby number 5

February 2, 2015 11:33 a.m.

I am a 66 years old and have had varicose veins in my legs since before my 3 pregnancies. They, of course, got worse as I aged. I wore Hanes Alive support hose for years (even with shorts) and felt they only helped with pressure pain during the day. A vascular surgeon told me in May that I should just wear knee high support hose and there was nothing that could be done. We went to Disneyland in August and the day after we got home, I was in the shower and happened to look down and the shower was full of blood. It was coming from the vulva area. I bled a lot before I applied pressure, even though it seemed to stop within a few minutes. An OB/GYN found that I had at least three huge varicose veins in my vulva area and he said there was nothing that could be done about it. If I had them removed, they would just come back. He prescribed Estrace cream. It seems to help the pain, but not the swelling. It's uncomfortable walking and sitting.
I will look into the V2 Supporter if it works for non-pregnant women. Any other advice would be appreciated.

Sue Peterson

January 22, 2015 10:12 a.m.

I had VV with my first pregnancy, it was horrible!! Started around week 22. Only thing that helped was a pool. I bought tge V2 but you could see it through my pants. I always wanted more childten but after my experience I think I might only have one- so sad:(. Everyone says Oh you will forget about it, but im not so sure about forgetting the pain and embarrassment of it all. I still see one spot but its only been 6 months post. I feel for everyone who has this. Nobody ever talks about it and it can make a pregnancy so long and painful.

Happy mom of one

January 17, 2015 2:27 a.m.

My vagina looks so gross with this varicose vein! Yes it goes away the moment the baby pops out but I don't want to look at it now! The pain is retarded! I hate when the Dr says a support belt or panty hose! Nothing helps! Not ice, not soaking in a hot tub, not massage, not elevating my feet..ughsomeone had to have figured out something by now! What about hemorrhoid cream? Anyone try that yet?

grossedoutbyme

December 28, 2014 7:38 p.m.

This is my 4th pregnancy and the vulvar varicose veins started by week 10. Fortunately, during my last pregnancy I heard about the V2 belt, it is amazing. I went from not being able to do much besides laying down because of the severe pain, to maintaining the house and playing with my kids. It doesn't completely take away the pain but on a scale from 1 - 10(extremely painful), without wearing it my pain is a 9 and wearing it takes it to a 2.

grateful momma

December 17, 2014 12:19 a.m.

I started getting varicose veins in my upper thighs at around 20 weeks and then vulvar varicosities at around 29 weeks. Have been wearing full maternity compression hose for about 2 months and they seem to be really helping my legs, but I am worried they are making my vulvar veins worse. Do you typically wear the v2 supporter with compression hose, or by itself? Obviously I could care less about the veins in my legs.

Crystal

December 15, 2014 10:33 p.m.

28 weeks pregnant and while I have had the pain for quite some time during my second pregnancy, this week it was really amplified with extreme swelling. I could barely walk and had no clue how I was going to make it another 12 weeks with this burning pain. I ordered a V2 supporter and I am not 100% sure how it works, but ladies it does! I highly recommend it for anyone suffering with these varicosities! The amount of swelling that went down in 24 hours was crazy and after a week, I even feel like I can do some moderate exercise. So much happier even though it is quite bulky but totally worth it!

Jessica

November 15, 2014 2:18 p.m.

Just a comment on punctuation to make this make more sense:
"If you have vulvar varicosities — and you're lucky — the only way you'll know is because your health care provider tells you." makes it sound like if you have them you are lucky.
Wouldn't it be clearer if it were
"If you have vulvar varicosities and are lucky, the only way you'll know is because a health care provider tells you".
Or
"if you have V.V. and don't have symptoms, you are lucky: the only way you'll know is because a health care provider tells you."

Heather

November 14, 2014 12:25 a.m.

I am 26 weeks with baby #5 and everything was going perfectly till about 2 weeks ago, I have been in so much pain and best described it as I have been riding a horse. I went to the Dr. today and she told me I have this condition and there was nothing I could take for it. I have ordered a V2 support already but not sure how I am going to make it through another 14 weeks of pregnancy. I hurt all hours of the day, my house is falling apart, I can't even play with my kids. I am so thankful to know I am not alone and pray I can get through this.

Angela

November 10, 2014 10:13 p.m.

varicosities vein o not go in 6 eeks.it take years sometime size reduces but do not disappear completely.

leena

September 16, 2014 8:39 a.m.

@Lisa & Janet I had really bad pelvic venous congestion following the birth of my children now 12 & 13 however I was lucky enough to have a great GP who referred me to a fantastic guy for a procedure called pelvic vein embolization. He did a venogram and it identified that I needed both my ovarian and internal iliac veins treated. I can honestly say it has totally revolutionised my life and I'm a new woman. The procedure was performed under a light sedation, and I was in hospital for about 6 hours in all, afterward I had a slight cramp for a few days, and that was it. The radiologist used both platinum coils and foam to block up the veins this procedure also cured my haemorrhoids which was a total bonus. I'm sure that someone in your area will be able to do this, you need a doctor called an interventional radiologist and not a vascular surgeon or OBGYN as I thought. Good luck, it's really worth looking into.

Ava

August 11, 2014 11:50 a.m.

I am 17 weeks pregnant, and things had been so bad for me I seriously thought I would end up in a wheelchair by the end of the pregnancy... Thank God a friend of mine whose SIL had it told me about vulvar compression garment called V2 Supporter. It's sold in medical supply stores, or online. I almost cried with happiness when I got mine. After weeks of excruciating pain I was able to function normally through the day. It's a bit frustrating that this website actually says that there is no such thing as compression support... that is why I am posting, I hope no woman has to suffer from this without support ever again.

Marceli

July 30, 2014 11:34 p.m.

Have had this issue for years, before pregnancy and now. Still unsure of cause other than rigorous sex or too tight of shorts/item that push on the vein. All I can say is the longer it stays the more it sucks.

ouchy85

June 21, 2014 6:56 a.m.

I consult with a Midwife for Nutritional advice and was advised to take the Collinsonia Root supplement to help with VV. I developed VV during 2nd pregnancy and was in terrible pain by 20 weeks before I started talking to a Midwife & taking the supplement. It did help ease some of the pain for the remainder of pregnancy. Now pregnant with my 3rd, I knew to take it from the beginning. While it doesn't wipe away all of the pain, at 24 weeks, this time around it is much more manageable. I highly recommend taking the supplement. Just an FYI, Doctor's don't seem to be educated on this option. I get my Collinsonia Root from Standard Process which is only sold by Professionals, ie. Chiropractor's, Midwife's, etc.

Pregnancy #8 and yes they have gotten worse with each baby but not significantly worse. It started with my 1st baby and it goes away mostly after birth. I was told it is the tip of the iceberg as I have pelvic congestion syndrome which basically means my entire pelvic area is full of varicosities. I only recently discovered the V2 Supporter. I am a new woman!! I can shop and cook again. I go on walks without my crotch throbbing. It is almost unbearable without it. The veins are the girth of my thumb so I understand the pain y'all are describing. Every child is such a gift and if this is something I must endure to hold another one, so be it. I am very interested though in completer vein removal. I went to a doctor to see if I could get it ablated but he said it would cause 3rd degree burns on vulva because the skin is so thin.

Janet

May 24, 2014 1:39 p.m.

Are vulva veins a sign of being pregnant? i'm having a lot of signs but urine test keep coming up negative. My doctor won't do a blood test. She said both urine and blood test were the same.

Sarah Rudolph

May 20, 2014 1:02 p.m.

To Lisa... I had a pelvic vein embolisation after my first two children. They are now 12 and 10 and I had the procedure when they were about 1 and 3. I nearly lost my life. The coils came out of the veins after the procedure (a few hours later) and went up to my lungs. I had to undergo an emergency 5 hour operation to retrieve them. Then about a year after I developed heart palpitations and it was found that a long piece of coil had been left behind and was sitting in my polmonary artery, so I was rushed to a London hospital for surgery (up my pulmonary artery through my groin) to retrieve this. The coils stayed put on one side so I did get the benefits from that and it took me 5 years to pluck up the courage to have baby number 3 who is now nearly 6 and all went well on her and my symptoms haven't returned until now. I contribute it to a sit down job two days a week for the past year. I would never be able to recommend this procedure although I know I was just unlucky and plenty of women have had much relief and success from it, I just wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I went through. I have no answers if my symptoms return now but I would not have this procedure again as I can't risk not being around for my children and husband.

Lu

May 11, 2014 7:37 a.m.

What are the treatment for extreme Vulvar varicosities that don't go away after pregnancy? Is pssible treatment risky?

Sally

April 30, 2014 6:09 p.m.

Glad to know that the V2 works so well! If only I had know last time ... In my first pregnancy I was repeatedly asked about any veins in my legs.I never had any but I had a lot of pain in my inner leg and in to my pelvis. I was always told that it was nothing to worry about - until the veins appeared. I now know that is what was wrong for the weeks before they showed up. If only these were ever mentioned in main stream books. I could have had the V2 to minimise the damage :( I am now 5 weeks pregnant and going to buy the V2 today! Nice to know I am not alone, hope you all get on ok.

kate

April 26, 2014 5:22 p.m.

I'm 22weeks pregnant with my second child and although I had vulval varicosities with my first, they were nowhere near as early, as unsightly or as painful. My midwife told me to use an ice pack, which is relieving, but I'm worried about getting through the second half of pregnancy and worried about the veins not going away after the birth of my baby. I will try the v2 supporter for definite, and it is comforting to read that many more women have experienced this. I'm trying to remember to be so thankful to be pregnant and to try and enjoy it, but this condition is making it somewhat of an endurance test and I feel low and quite miserable. I hope this mood doesn't impact on my baby. I worry about that too.

Hannah

April 18, 2014 8:49 p.m.

I'm 71 and they still haven't gone away. It's a reoccuring problem. Can't seem to figure out why. Would nerves cause them?

NanjH3YBB

April 3, 2014 10:41 p.m.

I am currently pregnant with my 3rd and suffering from this condition for the 2nd time. At one point I wanted 6 kids, but because of this condition (and it seems to get worse with each pregnancy!) I will be lucky to make it to 4. My veins hurt the most at night and I have a heck of a time sleeping because of it. I use a pad soaked in witch hazel and an ice pack every night to control the burning/stabbing pain. I'm only 20 weeks...20 more miserable weeks to go!
My veins went away immediately after the birth of my 2nd child. I tore pretty good, but since the pressure and pain of the veins was gone, I felt like a million bucks even though I needed to be stitched up.

Jenny

March 26, 2014 1:10 p.m.

I'm so thankful to find other women who have suffered from this... I have been having pain down there since pretty early in this pregnancy and now I know why!!! I just wish I would have done something sooner, or read these comments sooner. I had no idea they would get this bad. This is my 3rd pregnancy and will certainly be my last!!! I finally grabbed a mirror today and wanted to cry... I suppose I will be ordering a V2 supporter ASAP, as well as try the compression!! Thank you all for your comments, they have been most helpful!!

Tasha

March 23, 2014 8:54 p.m.

I didn't have vulvar varicosities with my first pregnancy, but the pain/swelling started @ 15 weeks with this one. :( The V2 supporter works great!!! I stand at work all day and before I got my supporter, once I stood a little too long, there wasn't much relieving the pain. I'm just wondering if it makes delivery more painful.

Carol

March 18, 2014 6:07 p.m.

The V2 supporter is the only way I made it through my last two pregnancies. In answer to the questions below, I did not wear it at night, but I did wear it ALL day. Don't be on your feet without it! It is not bulky, and it doesn't really show under clothing, except as a "panty line" type of line under really tight pants. Honestly, I didn't even care about that - wearing it was the only way I could function and take care of my family.
Good news is the pain improved for me after delivery. Bad news is the varicosities are very much still there and are painful during my period and sometimes after sexual intercourse. I am currently considering having an ovarian vein embolization done to treat them. Has anyone had any experience with this procedure?

Lisa

March 12, 2014 10:36 a.m.

Thanks guys for this info! My Dr. Didn't give many answers. Do you wear the V2 supporter only at night or do you also wear during the day?
-mom on her 3rd :)

Anonymous

January 29, 2014 8:03 p.m.

What if you have vulvar varicose veins and you are 67 years old? Have not had sex in 7 years, have pressure in the vagina, veins are large and dark blue, itching sometimes, also have varicose veins in both legs.

Brenda Massaro

January 29, 2014 12:56 p.m.

@ROSA: I was told you can have surgery to remove the veins. Maybe look into this option.

Lacey

January 29, 2014 12:54 p.m.

I am now pregnant with my 3rd child and have had this problem with all three of my pregnancies. Each pregnancy it seems to develop sooner-14 weeks this time. However, with my second delivery the left side ruptured and had to be stitched. This has actually made the left side not so swollen. I have used the V2 supporter with my last two pregnancies. I do believe it helps but you have to remember it is suppose to be tight. I ordered the large for my third pregnancy and feel it is too big-back to the old Med size. Its a must all day everyday-especially at gym! If someone has not experienced this they have no idea how painful it can be. My husband just laughs when I walk around with an icepack in my pants! My veins did go away during pregnancies but like I said one side ruptured during my last delivery and I had a large blood clot there. The pain of waiting for my body to reabsorbed that blood was so horrific. I would just lie awake at night with silent tears rolling down my checks. This was by far more painful then my drug free delivery. Is it fair that we need an ice diaper before birth?...I think not! This WILL be my last pregnancy because of this condition.

Lacey

January 28, 2014 4:28 p.m.

hello my name is Rosa, well I have varicose veins on my vulva and I got it when I was pregnant of my third child I have the fourth one and it's been already alomost going on six years from then they did not go away, everytime I have myu period it gets swollen and now it even hurts when I have intercourse with my partner what can I do thank you

Rosa

January 15, 2014 6:22 p.m.

I'm pregnant with my 5th child and my vaginal vericose veins are by far the most painful thing I have experienced. I've had them with the past 2 pregnancies, but this is the worst. I'm not embarrassed to discuss, and don't think any woman should be.. If it was more talked about maybe there would be more help for us.. My vagina is 3-4x's the normal size..swollen, extremly painful and just ugly! I swear if it doesn't return to normal (which thankfully with the last 2 pregnancies it has) I will be spending our college fund on vaginal rejuvenation!..lol. I am going to try the compression therapy mentioned and try to find a therapist where I live who does it. Regarding the V2 garment..is it bulky? Can it be worn under clothing and not seen? I'm a hairdresser and would need to wear it under clothing. Any feed back is appreciated...

DebC

January 15, 2014 9:22 a.m.

I've tried a number of different compressive undergarments, and the V2 Supporter is by far the most effective and comfortable. I've no affiliation with the maker of the product, but I've tried seemingly all of them and wouldn't want your readers to waste money on any of the others.

Elaine Hughes

January 14, 2014 12:46 a.m.

These comments and the article where very helpful! I feel like it's a very hard topic to talk about.
I'm pregnant with my second and have been experiencing this and it's just not fun at all. Uncomfortable and unsightly. I plan to try the compression therapy mentioned below and hopefully some of the other relief techniques will work too!!

Mommag2T

January 9, 2014 9:42 a.m.

I had these terribly in my second pregnancy. I'm now pregnant again and fear they will come again. I live in Orange County, Ca and went to Womenology where a Physical Therapist did pressure points on my vulvar. Most people would feel uncomfortable with this method but I tried all forms of alternative relief, this by far gave most relief since the vulvar was so tight, the release eased the discomfort for about 4 days at a time. So, I would go twice a week. I also did the compression panty hose and V2 supporter. A week before delivery, baby adjusted and I drastically felt better and after deliver it was 90% gone.

Mamaof3

January 7, 2014 8:59 a.m.

Cold definitely is a good temporary relief! But as soon as that wears off, the pain is back.

Allison

October 20, 2013 8:26 p.m.

I suffered from vulvar varicosities during my most recent pregnancy. It was absolutely horrible, and my husband wasn't particularly thrilled about them either.
Being in that I was pregnant, I was afraid to have sclerotherapy. I friend told me about compression therapy, which turned out to be more effective than I ever thought possible, and was also a lot cheaper than sclerotherapy (I don't have health insurance).
Anyone suffering from this condition should at least consider one of these: http://www.eganmedical.com/V2-Supporter-p/ormt-v2s.htm
It's cheap, and at least in my case it's pretty darned effective too.
I think your readers would benefit greatly if you maybe would include a reference to this particular product the next time you cover the topic. There are other similar products on the market, including one by BabyBelly, but I didn't find that one to be nearly as effective, and it cost me nearly twice as much too, for whatever it's worth.
Many thanks and I enjoyed the read!

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